Pakistan have never lost a Test series in the UAE since making it their adopted home in 2010. Six teams have tried previously, and six teams have failed, Sri Lanka included. They have stonewalled, barricaded, intimidated, junkyard dog-ed, dust bowl-ed, and have done whatever necessary to maintain their stranglehold. While swathes of empty blue and white chairs were bearing witness, Pakistan were progressing. They were moving slowly, sometimes painfully slowly, but they were moving. And that progress eventually got them to the top of the Test rankings, albeit briefly. Now, with two of their most trusted battle commanders gone, an innocuous and familiar enemy has suddenly become overwhelming. The fortress is under siege.

There is so much to play for in second and final Test in Dubai. It will be the first day-night Test that Sri Lanka will be a part of, and they can commemorate it by attaining a historic series win. The visitors probably surprised even themselves by what happened in Abu Dhabi. After all their struggles at home against India - plunging to record whitewashes - which led to resignations of their selectors, then losing Angelo Mathews to injury; to come back from all that and beat Pakistan at a venue they have never lost in, it was incredible.

What wasn't surprising, though, was how the win was achieved. Rangana Herath unfailingly delivered the goods on the final day yet again, becoming the first left-arm spinner to bring up 400 Test wickets in history. Also, Pakistan panicked in the face of pressure - not for the first time. Herath's threat won't be dissipating one bit, he'll remain the same. It will be the Pakistan batting unit which will have to find ways of countering him.

"This is a young batting line-up obviously trying to find their way," was Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur's best attempt at trying to make sense of what had transpired on a crazy final day. He's right though. It will be hard to come to terms with the post Mis-You era, but there's no way around it. And there's no better time to groom their young batsmen than right here, right now. The pitch in Dubai shouldn't play a whole lot differently than Abu Dhabi, so there are runs to be had again. That said, it will be interesting to see how Sri Lanka face any difficulties in adapting to the nuances of a day-night Test.

Team news:

Pakistan

It was one bad day which cost Pakistan the first Test; not even that, it was probably a couple of bad sessions. As such, the panic button shouldn't be pressed. The same XI could take the field in Dubai, hoping to keep their proud record intact.

Sri Lanka

Angelo Mathews, who missed the first Test, has now been ruled out of the second as well due to his calf injury. So there's no reason for a triumphant Sri Lanka to change their combination either

Srilanka Won toss, opt to bats first.Hasan Ali injured so W,Riaz came while Thirimanne and Sandakan not playing so SADEERA SAMARAWICKRAMA and LAHIRU GAMAGE début for srilanka in Day Night pink ball test.

Having visited Sri Lanka late last year on holiday, I have fallen in love with that country.I was always fond of it anyway, but only when I went there, I realised how soft-spoken and nice the people are.They're also cricket-mad, but their cricketers are not deified like BCCI cricketers.Sadly, there's a lot of corruption in Sri Lanka too - as in India.

Azhar gave press conference in Dubai , ""yes we beat them in Pallakele by scoring 377 so we are optimistic if we have to chase 300 here because wicket helping to fast bowlers more Masha - Alla-H we can bowl them out on day 4 early on""

Last test pak not even reach 136 plus history says since 2016 they are beaten 7 th time on day 5th batting failure bowls out from 81-229 all out except Pallekeles road (382 for 3 , winning by 7 wickets)

The Offie had the ball on string, he found a length which made it really hard for the batsman to counter.India's Pras had complete mastery over Flights, we not see too many spinner like Pras in modern day, test cricket.

raja wrote:That's it - end of day's play.198/5.Need 117 more.Fantastic Test, this is.

India / SL test same happen when DC Hits 162* to sink India.What a test that was?India also lost by 12 runs vs Pakistan with Sacin's Efforts in Vain, probably in India because I do not think SAchin ever plays in Pakistan.

Sachin did Fielding for Pakistan under Imran khan in Mumbai before his test debut,I read somewhere.

SL might not twice Lucky tomorrow but anyway it's going to be yet another thriller

Why you says Pakistan will win? Amir/Abbas/Yasir/Wahab not good as batsman on day 5 wicket plus new ball will be due after 42 balls.SL should not slog vs Harris's 3 ball which hurts them more because 340/348 to win give more psychological Adventage to SL.

Shafiq in the 90's now partnership 150 now,this two put on 139 together in Galle test so that stands broken.203 for 5 after two ball on day 5

DarkMoon wrote:Why you says Pakistan will win? Amir/Abbas/Yasir/Wahab not good as batsman on day 5 wicket plus new ball will be due after 42 balls.SL should not slog vs Harris's 3 ball which hurts them more because 340/348 to win give more psychological Adventage to SL.

Shafiq in the 90's now partnership 150 now,this two put on 139 together in Galle test so that stands broken.203 for 5 after two ball on day 5

Pakistan will win easily. It will not come down to Yasir or wahab. This pair is comfortable.